Hero pilot speaks out after FlyDubai Incident, tell me about this news today

Captain Smit Machchhar, the Indian pilot hailed as a hero following the mid-air attack aboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv, broke his silence from his hospital bed in Abu Dhabi during a video call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Indiatimes

Machchhar was stabbed and critically injured by the flight’s co-pilot, who reportedly attempted to crash the Boeing 737. Speaking with head bandages and an oxygen tube, Captain Machchhar recounted the ordeal, explaining that he collapsed to the cockpit floor after sustaining multiple stab wounds. As the aircraft began plunging sharply, he realized that if he did not push himself back up, all 174 passengers and crew on board would lose their lives.

CBS News

Summoning what he described as his “last push” and drawing strength from his faith and prayers, he managed to reach the cockpit controls and unlock the reinforced door. That critical action allowed passengers and off-duty flight crew to storm the cockpit, subdue the attacker, and safely divert the aircraft for an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.

During the call, Captain Machchhar shared that while he had never previously felt particularly proud of himself, he felt immense pride in having protected his passengers. He added that he views his wounds not as injuries, but as a journey, expressing confidence in his recovery and eventual return to flying. Prime Minister Modi and international officials commended his extraordinary bravery, stating that his actions averted a catastrophic tragedy.

CBS News+ 1